Power groomer for snow & earth terrain

Abstract

An improved trail groomer apparatus having multiple components arranged in an integrated ensemble is herein disclosed. The preferred embodiments of this trail groomer comprises a rectilinear frame having, arranged in series, a power tiller, a pulverizer assembly and a compacting roller. These functional components turn over the irregular and often hard packed surface of snow and ice, or earth, grind or pulverize it into a fine powder or granule material and thereafter compact it into a smooth, rut-free trail.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . In an apparatus for grooming terrain having an irregular or compacted surface, wherein said apparatus includes means for sequentially comminuting said terrain surface and thereafter compacting said comminuted materials from said terrain surface, wherein the improvement comprises: 
 A. Means for comminuting an irregular or compact surface of terrain comprising a power activated tiller, said tiller comprising a cylinder having an array of tines projecting from its surface, means for transmission of power from a gear box to said tiller and means for off-setting of said tiller at an angle of up to about 25 degrees relative to the direction of travel of said groomer;    B. Means for pulverizing said comminuted terrain into a substantially granular material of essentially uniform size; and    C. Means for compacting said substantially granular material into a groomed trail.    
     
     
         2 . The improved groomer assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said tiller is aligned at an angle of about 15 to 18 degrees relative to the direction of travel of said groomer.  
     
     
         3 . The improved groomer assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said tiller is rotated at a speed independent of the relative movement over said terrain.  
     
     
         4 . The improved groomer assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said tiller penetrates and comminutes said terrain to a depth of from about 2 to 6 inches below the surface of said terrain.  
     
     
         5 . The improved groomer assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said groomer includes means for containment and arrangement of each said tiller, pulverizer and compacting means within a common housing, said housing comprising a rectilinear compartment having a frame, from which each of each said tiller, pulverizer and compacting means is attached and supported.  
     
     
         6 . The improved groomer assembly of  claim 5 , wherein said housing includes means for channeling said comminuted terrain from said tiller to said pulverizer, said containment/channeling means comprising resilient bristles attached to each lateral member of said frame.  
     
     
         7 . The improved groomer assembly of  claim 5 , wherein said pulverizing means includes an ordered array of blades or cutters projecting from the surface of said pulverizer roller, said blades being mounted upon the surface of each of these cylinders at an angle which is off-set from a normal angle up to 20 degrees, and most preferable about 15 degrees from said surface.  
     
     
         8 . The improved groomer assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said means for compaction of said comminuted substantially granular material includes means for extension and retraction of a roller relative to said pulverizer means.  
     
     
         9 . The improved groomer assembly of  claim 8 , wherein said compaction means includes a roller having a patterned surface for embossing said groomed trail, and thereby providing for identification of said terrain as a groomed trail.  
     
     
         10 . The improved groomer assembly of  claim 8 , wherein said compaction means includes at least one ballast.  
     
     
         11 . In an apparatus for grooming terrain having an irregular or compacted surface, wherein said apparatus includes means for sequentially comminuting said terrain surface and thereafter compacting said comminuted materials from said terrain surface, wherein the improvement comprises: 
 A. Means for comminuting an irregular or compact surface of terrain comprising a power activated tiller, said tiller comprising a cylinder having an array of tines projecting from its surface, means for transmission of power from a gear box to said tiller and means for off-setting of said tiller at an angle of up to about 25 degrees relative to the direction of travel of said groomer;    B. Power transmission means for connecting said tiller through a drive shaft to a towing vehicle, said power transmission means including a gear box for controlling the speed of said tiller independent of the speed of said towing vehicle;    C. Means for pulverizing said comminuted terrain into a substantially granular material of essentially uniform size; and    D. Means for compacting said substantially granular material into a groomed trail.